Steelers Fan Friday: Favorite Heinz Field era players who never made a Pro Bowl

Last Friday, we focused on fan picks as well as Steel City Underground team picks of favorite players on offense and defense that played during the Heinz Field era. Situated in the North Shore neighborhood, Pittsburgh Steelers fans are well aware of what Heinz Field is – and what it has become; a symbol of the city’s history of producing the world’s best steel and professional football. This week, we upped the stakes in looking back at players who’ve played during that era that were never voted to play in the NFL’s Pro Bowl.

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SCU Team Picks – Steelers Who Never Made A Pro Bowl

Joe K: Shaun Suisham
This list is really longer than I thought it would be since there are quite a few good Steelers who never got the recognition they may have deserved. While I’m a sucker for average QB play (Tommy Maddox, Landry Jones) those who know me may think I would’ve picked one of them. However, my choice is probably surprising: Shaun Suisham.

For years he was a rock at special teams, the go-to guy that could win games in the end with his leg. I wonder if he would still be kicking if not for the tragic, ill-fated injury in the preseason Hall of Fame Game back in 2015? He would be 37 years old, which appears to be a young age for the position these days.

Suisham, since retired, still makes many media appearances for the organization. His visibility makes it hard to not be a fan favorite.

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Brian R: Ike Taylor

C’mon man – he’s Swaggin! Ike may have had hands of stone, but boy could he shut down receivers. If he could catch the ball, he would have had multiple Pro-Bowl appearances because he was, in his prime, a shutdown corner who always took the opposing teams’ best receiver and took them out of the game in most cases.

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Zach M: Dan Kreider

For the longest time, growing up, the fullback position was the spot I wanted to play on the football field. Leading the way for your running back, running people over, and just being “that dude” every single play just seemed so much fun. Kreider wasn’t a hot commodity for most fans but seeing the 5’11”, 250-pound fullback bury people on the field made a lasting impact of my younger Steeler memories.

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Terry F: Ramon Foster

After 10 seasons playing along one of the top offensive lines in the NFL, Foster has gotten overlooked as Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro have grabbed nods to go to the Pro Bowl. 2019 should be Foster’s year to earn the honor he deserves.

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Derek O: Vince Williams

My current favorite Steeler, mostly for his passion and fire. He has the right attitude towards the game.

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Noah F., Ryan L., and Christina R: Antwaan Randle El

Randle El may currently be an assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he was once a force to be reckoned with at a Pittsburgh Steeler. The wide receiver was a multi-faceted talent and one of the best returners the Steelers have had during the Heinz Field era. With quarterback experience in his past, it allowed the Steelers to use him as a passer in several trick plays, including a game-clinching 43-yard reverse touchdown pass to Hines Ward in Super Bowl XL; the play made Randle El the third non-quarterback and the first wide receiver in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl. With nearly as many receiving yards in his career (4,467) as total return yards (4,316), it’s hard to understand why Randle El wasn’t voted, even once, into the Pro Bowl.

Fan Poll – Steelers Who Never Made A Pro Bowl

In a social media poll conducted this week, the following Steelers players who never made a Pro Bowl earned the most mentions (some players are with another team in 2019; list is not in any particular order): Mark Bruener, Santonio Holmes, Ramon Foster, Antwaan Randle El, Vance McDonald, Ike Taylor, Jesse James, Kimo von Oelhoffen, Anthony Chickillo, and Vince Williams.

So fans, who do you have on your lists? Comment below or let us know by leaving us a message via the SCU Hotline voicemail or text at (203)900-4SCU


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